Running out of PBS medicines when overseas

Find out what your options are if you run out of your PBS medicine when overseas

You may not be able to get your Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) medicine in the country you’re visiting. Before you leave, check with your doctor to make sure you have enough for your trip.

You shouldn’t go over the allowable limit of PBS medicine when you go overseas. Each PBS medicine has a different allowable limit depending on your circumstance.

If you run out while you’re travelling, you need to go to a doctor in the country you’re visiting. You can ask the doctor to prescribe the medicine you need.

Take the original packaging of the medicine you’re going to run out of with you. That way the doctor can verify the medicine is for you. They also need to see the dose and strength of the medicine you need.

The medicine may cost less if the country has a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement with us.

Page last updated: 3 March 2022.
QC 51189